Siphoning device



Patented Aug. 19, 1941 SIPHONING DEVICE Joseph T. Webber, Kalamazom'Mich, assignor to Roscoe B. Lacey, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application October 17, 1940, Serial No. 361,576

Claims. (CL 137--20) Third, to provide a device of the type described which is exceedingly simple and inexpensive in structure and which is well adapted for a number of uses involving the siphoning of a fluid from one container into another for purposes of sampling, testing, or the like.

Further objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a siphoning device in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially broken away and in vertical section to illustrate details of construction of the device.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view illustrating the handled receptacle incorporated in the device of my invention, with the siphoning bulb and tube removed therefrom.

Referring to the drawing, the reference nunieral. l indicates a suitable open mouthed receptacle of any desired capacity, though in accordance with one of the uses contemplated by my invention the capacity need not exceed, say, a quart or pint. This'receptacle may have suitable instructions or other indicia printed on the side wall thereof and is provided with a sheet metal handle 2 soldered thereto and extending transversely of and above the open mouth thereof, the handle being adapted to be grasped by one hand of the user to support the receptacle As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, the handle 2 has an opening or aperture in the horizontally disposed grip portion 4 thereof and a further laterally op-ening aperture 5 in the inclined leg 6 thereof. These apertures receive and support the siphoning elements of the device, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, in the manner to be described.

These siphoning elements consist of a hollow hard rubber branched fitting 8 having a hollow neck 9 receivable in aperture 3, the fitting being supported in this position by a rubber or other flexible bulb l0 which is telescoped over and elastically engages the neck to maintain the airtight engagement of the parts. The neck may be provided with a rib H to increase this gripping and retaining action.

Hollow neck 9 communicates the interior of fitting 8 with the'interior of bulb l0 and the fitting has an outlet l2 from the interior thereof opening downwardly to the receptacle. There is also provided on the fitting a hollow laterally extending nipple l3 on which a rubber siphon tube i4 is frictionally sleeved in air-tight relation, this tube extending through the aperture 5 in the handle in supporting engagement with the edges thereof.

In operation, three functions are performed by one hand of the operator in manipulating this device, as fol-lows: First, handle 2 is grasped so as tosupport the receptacle at the desired level relative to the level of liquid in the receptacle to be siphoned from. Secondly, one of the fingers of the users hand supporting the receptacle is placed across the outlet l2 to thereby shut off communication of the fitting with the atmosphere at this point. Thirdly, the bulb, I0 is collapsed using the thumb of the same receptacle supporting hand to'expel air therefrom. Tube [4 is then inserted into the liquid in the vessel or receptacle from which it is desired to withdraw liquid, supporting the receptacle so that outlet I2 is below the level thereof, following which the pressure on the bulb is released allowing the same to spring upwardly to original form, This creates vacuum in the tube 14 sufficient to start a siphon, whereby when the finger is removed from outlet I2 as a final step, the liquid will flow into receptacle l. The order of all save the final two of the foregoing steps may be altered somewhat, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. I

The foregoing device is exceedingly simple and readily manipulated in use due to the fact that the users one hand performs all three of the above noted functions, leaving the other hand free to manipulate the suction tube M as desired, or for other purposes. The device is useful in siphoning radiator fluid from the cooling system of an internal combustion engine when it is desired to add a predetermined amount of antifreeze agent thereto without requiring drainage of an excessive amount of the original liquid. It will likewise be found useful in garages and the like where it is sometimes desired to withdraw a quantity of gasoline from a customers' tank in order to enable certain parts of his engine or the like to be washed. Danger has heretofore been present in the custom of doing this by simply sucking into the mouth through a tube inserted in the tank, particularly in the case of leaded gasoline or in general where a poisonous or dangerous liquid is siphoned. Still further, a device of this type will be found useful in distilleries, wineries and the like in testing at various stages of the distillation, fermentation, aging or the like. Other uses will readily suggest themselves.

It is obvious that certain of the details of construction and arrangement of the above siphon device may be altered without departing from the concept of my invention, such, for example, as alterations in the disposition of the bulb l or in the disposition of the handle or the like. By placing bulb I in upright position, any liquid inadvertently sucked therein will readily drain out, thus preventing possible deterioration of the bulb. I consider, however, the tri-functional feature of the arrangement of the handle, bulb and associated branched fitting which I have described above to be novel with me.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which is very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a siphoning device of the type described, an open mouthed receptacle having a handle extending across the mouth thereof for supporting the receptacle by the users hand, a hollow fitting mounted on said handle having three orifices communicating with the interior of the fitting, a suction tube supported by said handle and in air-tight com-munication with one of said orifices, and a collapsible bulb in air-tight communication with the second orifice, the third orifice being disposed to open to the interior of the receptacle, and being closed or opened by a finger of the users hand employed in supporting the receptacle, another finger of the same hand being employed in collapsing the bulb to exhaust air from the interior of the bulb and fitting.

2. In a siphoning device of the type described, a receptacle having a handle for supporting the receptacle by the users hand, a hollow fitting mounted on said receptacle having three orifices communica'ing with the interior of the fitting, a suction tube in air-tight communication with one of said orifices, and a collapsible bulbin air-tight communication with the second orifice, the third orifice being disposed to open to the interior of the receptacle, and being closed or opened by a finger of the users hand employed insupporting the receptacle, said bulb being arranged relative to the handle and receptacle whereby another finger of the same hand may be employed in collapsing the bulb to exhaust air from the interior of the bulb and fitting.

3. In a siphoning device of the type described, an open mouthed receptacle adapted to receive siphoned liquid having a handle extending transversely of the mouth thereof in elevated relation thereto, a fitting supported on said handle having a hollow interior, a hollow collapsible bulb on said fitting in air-tight communication with said interior, and a flexible suction tube, said fitting having a laterally opening passage from said interior in air-tight communication with said suction tube and an orifice opening downwardly to the mouth of the receptacle whereby liquid drawn into the fitting through the tube is discharged into the receptacle when said orifice is open, said orifice being adapted to be closed by one finger of the users hand employed in supporting the receptacle handle and the bulb being collapsible by another finger of said hand whereby to create the necessary conditions interiorly of the fitting and in communication with said tube for the formation of a siphoning vacuum when the tube is inserted in a supply of liquid to be siphoned and said bulb released.

4. In a siphoning device of the type described, a receptacle adapted to receive siphoned liquid having a handle, a fitting supported on said handle having a hollow interior, a hollow collapsible bulb on said fitting in air-tight communication with said interior, and a flexible suction tube, said fitting having a passage from said interior in air-tight communication with said suction tube and an orifice opening to the receptacle whereby liquid drawn into the fitting through the tube is discharged into the receptacle when said orifice is open, said orifice being adapted to be closed by one finger of the users hand employed in supporting the receptacle handle and the bulb being collapsible by another finger of said hand whereby to create the necessary conditions interiorly of the fitting and in communication with said tube for the formation of a siphoning vacuum when the tube is inserted in a supply of liquid to be siphoned and said bulb released.

5. In a siphoning device of the type described, a receptacle adapted to be supported by the users hand, a hollow fitting mounted on said receptacle having three orifices communicating with the interior of the fitting, a suction tube in air-tight communication with one of said orifices, and a collapsible bulb in air-tight communication with the second orifice, the third orifice being disposed to open to the interior of the receptacle, and being closed or opened by a finger of the users hand employed in supporting the receptacle, said bulb being arranged relative to the receptacle whereby the same hand may be employed in collapsing the bulb to exhaust air from the interior of the bulb and fitting.

JOSEPH T. WEBBER. 

